Caley Rae is one of just a small handful to win state titles for Miss America's Outstanding Teen, Miss Teen USA and Miss USA. In an amazing twist of fate she and newly crowned Miss Missouri USA Sydnee Stottlemyrecompeted at Miss America's Outstanding Teen and Miss Teen USA together, and will now also compete at Miss USA together. When she was a Teen titleholder her "big sister" was Blair Griffith, who herself was Miss CO Teen USA in 2006. I love how often we see the "little sisters" of former Teen titleholders go on to win Miss as well.

Alexis is also no stranger to the pageant stage; she was third runner-up last year and is the first returning runner-up to win Miss CO Teen USA since 2006! Lexi's win is even more impressive when you consider she tore her achilles nine weeks ago and competed (and rocked it!) in a moon boot. Were it not for the swimsuit competition you wouldn't even know.

Two of last year's runners-up in the Miss competition made the top five again this year: Leanna Jenkins placed third runner-up and fourth runner-up went to Sabrina Janssen who repeated her placement from last year. First and second runners-up were both newcomers, Sarah Courtney and Krystal Harrelson respectively. Among the semi-finalists were 2015 second runner-up Catherine Compton and four-time runner-up Erica Kerzon.

In Teen, despite this largely being a competition of first-time contestants, three of the top five had competed previously. In addition to Lexi, 2015 semi-finalist Bre L'Estrange placed second runner-up and 2014 non-finalist Arabella Forcellini was third runner-up. First runner-up was newbie Courtney Robertson and fourth runner-up was Elena Ehrlin​.

​Miss

Competing in Miss for the first time, Miss Colorado Teen USA 2011 Caley-Rae Pavillard will be vying to be one of just a handful of women who have competed at Miss America's Outstanding Teen, Miss Teen USA and Miss USA. She was a runner-up at Miss Dallas last year but chose not to compete at Miss TX USA. Miss Colorado 2013 Meg Kardos is competing again - she was a non-finalist last year and semi-finalist in 2013.

Of last year's top five, third runner-up Lexy Kadey has already competed in Missouri this year. All three of the other runners-up are back in Colorado: first runner-up Leanna Jenkins, second runner-up Catherine Compton and fourth runner-up Sabrina Jensson. Three-time Miss runner-up Erica Kerzon is competing again after choosing not to compete last year. 2014 Teen first runner-up Emily Mulder is competing in Miss for the first time.

Competing in Colorado for the first time is Aspen Olson, sister of Miss Wyoming USA 2016 Autumn Olson. Autumn and Aspen both competed together at Miss WY Teen USA 2012. Others from other states include Chris Salas, who competed with current Miss CO USA Talyah Polee in Nevada in 2014 and Brittney Cicotte, a semi-finalist at Miss Michigan Teen USA 2010.

Teen

In the Teen division, there is only one returning runner-up: Alexis Wynne who placed 3RU last year. Very disappointed as I remember loving the other runners-up in the competition last year and hoped we'd see more of them back. The only returning semi-finalists are Chloe Breen and Bre L'Estrange​. I can't wait to see which of the many newcomers comes out of nowhere and surprises the socks off us! (this is why it's great to watch the prelims webcast if you have the time).